Crossword Genius

Desires profits by close of day (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

yearnings

'desires' is the definition.
(yearning is a kind of desire)

'profits by close of day' is the wordplay.
'profits' becomes 'earnings' (synonyms).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'close of' suggests the final letters (the letter which ends or closes the word).
The last letter of 'day' is 'y'.
'earnings' after 'y' is 'YEARNINGS'.

(Other definitions for yearnings that I've seen before include "Desires" , "wishes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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